North Korea has deepened its alliance with Russia by dispatching thousands of workers, including women, to aid the Russian economy, which is struggling due to the prolonged war with Ukraine. These workers, initially thought to be in safe areas, are increasingly being deployed to Russian factories and warehouses that are now within the potential line of Ukrainian fire. This move is part of Kim Jong Un's strategy to support Russia and potentially gain economic or military benefits for North Korea.
Reports indicate that North Korean female workers are being sent to various production sites across Russia, including assembly lines, food manufacturing, and the garment industry. They reportedly work in groups of 40, earning approximately 480 rubles per hour, which is about 8,000 South Korean won. Videos have also emerged showing North Korean women working in logistics warehouses for Russian e-commerce companies, effectively replacing local workforces.
The deployment of North Korean workers to Russia is estimated to be around 30,000 since the war began, with a significant portion of the foreign currency earnings falling to female workers. Russia faces a severe labor shortage due to military mobilization, war casualties, and demographic decline, making North Korean labor an attractive solution due to its low cost and the workers' complete dependence on their supervisors. While young North Korean women are sent to factories, young men are reportedly being deployed to the Russian battlefield, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claiming North Korea plans to send between 30,000 and 50,000 troops.
North Korean workers abroad, including those in Russia, face exploitative conditions. A substantial portion of their wages is confiscated by the North Korean regime, with estimates suggesting that workers may receive as little as $10 out of an average monthly payment of $800, with about $600 taken by the regime. This revenue, potentially up to $500 million annually, is believed to fund North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Workers are under strict control, with passports confiscated, movements restricted, and long working hours (12-16 hours daily, up to 364 days a year), indicating forced labor conditions.
